Simon Burnett becomes father figure of youthful British team in Rome

From Ryan Bangs, Sportsbeat, in Rome

 SIMON Burnett is relishing his new-found role as a British team leader as he readies himself for the Rome World Championship big kick-off this weekend.

FATHER FIGURE: Simon Burnett to act as a mentor to GB's youthful squad at the World Championships in Rome

At 26, Burnett is the fourth oldest member of the British Gas-funded Team GB squad heading to the Eternal City, prompting British Swimming head coach Dennis Pursley to hand the freestyle sprinter a new-look role.

The double Commonwealth Games gold medallist has been asked to act as a mentor in Rome to some of Britain's younger squad members, passing on tips and advice. 

But Burnett admits he too is stepping into the unknown as he looks to challenge the likes of current world number one Frederick Bosquet for gold, who is already swum under 21 seconds in 2009. 

Burnett will have it all to do in Rome - he's currently produced only the 55th fastest 50m freestyle swim of 2009 at last month's Scottish National Championships - and must better his lifetime's best performance of 22.12 seconds to stand any chance of medalling.

"All of the British swimmers are so focussed and well prepared heading into Rome," said Burnett. "But my role as one of the oldest members of the squad is to pass advice and answer any questions from the younger guys in the squad about what to expect.

"It seems strange being regarded as one of the oldest members in the squad at just 26 but if I can assist any other British swimmer, as one of four team leaders in Rome, I'll do my best.

"The age of the group in Rome illustrates just how much talent there is coming through in Britain - in the past maybe I could cruise through a national qualification event or even straight into a major championship team but that has now all changed.

"I'm not naïve enough to just concentrate on my own performance in the build-up to and in Rome itself - I am aware of what other individuals have produced this year and what I need to ask of myself to achieve my goals."

Burnett insists he's a man on a mission in Italy - desperate to make up for lost time when it matters most at next week's World Championships.

Talk in the build up to Rome has been all about girl power and how many medals Britain's fab four - Gemma Spofforth, Jo Jackson, Rebecca Adlington and Hannah Miley - will land.

But Burnett insists there's no rivalry between Britain's men and women - but insists he is keen to set the record straight and produce a performance in Rome to be proud of.

"At the end of the championships, the medal table won't say how many podiums the men and women have secured independently," added Burnett. "We're one team, we're close knit and there's no rivalry over how many medals will be won.

"The women are very strong at the moment but I believe these things work in cycles - soon it will be the men's turn to dominate.

"Britain is not a world class swimming nation just yet - great strides have been made thus far - but there's still plenty more that can be achieved.

"I know all of the men, just like me, will be aiming for the same medal count as the women - it's just done to us to put in a performance in Rome." 

 British Gas and British Swimming. The nation's leading energy supplier, British Gas, is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, supporting the sport at all levels: 'From paddling pool to podium'. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming